The broad bean can be prepared both fresh and dried. It is also very popular in Germany and can be found more and more often in vegetable gardens. Thanks to its pretty flower, it is also very decorative. Find out below how to plant and care for the broad bean in your garden and achieve a plentiful harvest.

The flowers of the broad bean are very attractive

Broad bean, broad bean, broad bean - what is what?

The broad bean has many names. It is known by the following names, among others:

  • broad bean
  • broad bean
  • broad bean
  • fava bean
  • cattle bean
  • Big bean
  • broad bean

Sow the broad beans directly into the bed or prefer them?

The broad bean can be sown outdoors from the end of February or you prefer your field beans at home.

What speaks for preference?

Already at the end of January you can have the broad beans. This has several advantages:

  • You can harvest sooner.
  • Lice infestation is prevented.
  • You don't have to prick.

You can find instructions on how to prepare the broad beans here.

The best location for the broad bean

The broad bean is a weak feeder, which is why the soil should not be supplied with compost before sowing. The only thing to consider is the crop rotation. Since the broad bean is a legume, it should not be planted directly after another legume. Four years should elapse before another legume is planted at the location of a legume.

Broad beans don't really need climbing aids. However, large plants can tend to tip over in strong weather. It can therefore make sense to lean the plants against a cord or fence.

Mulch broad beans

Broad beans like it moist, so it makes sense to mulch them. Mulch (€239.00) also prevents weed growth, making gardening easier.

Pests on broad beans

The broad bean has a stubborn enemy: the black bean aphid. They like to eat broad beans and, if infested early, can damage the blossoms of the beans to such an extent that the harvest fails completely.

How do you prevent a bean aphid infestation?

The earlier you sow or pull forward, the less likely it is that the black bean aphid will do serious damage to your broad beans. The louse likes it warm and only infests the plant in summer. If this is already developed far enough, the pest infestation can no longer harm it.

Harvesting the broad beans

Broad beans are ready to harvest when the pods are plump and bright green. Depending on the variety, this is 14 to 16 weeks after sowing. The easiest way to harvest is to use pruning shears to easily clip the beans from the plant.
The beans can be harvested fresh from the plant or left on the plant to dry in order to save the seeds for sowing or cooking. The fresh broad bean seeds are surrounded by a rubbery, white shell. It is not so tasty and is therefore often removed. However, it is not harmful to health and peeling is very time-consuming. It can therefore also be eaten without any problems. It's best to just try it out.

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Vegetable garden